THE QUESTION
The morning following the Feast of the Dead, Oliver Drew rode Poche out of Clinker Creek Cañon, driving Smith ahead of them, on the way to Halfmoon Flat for supplies. Over the hills above the American River he saw a white horse galloping toward him.
This was to be a chance meeting with Jessamy. He had an idea she would not be anxious to face him, after her attempted subterfuge of the night before; so he slipped from the saddle, captured Smith, and led the two animals back into the woods.
Then he hurried to a tree on the outskirts and hid behind it.
On galloped White Ann, with the straight, sturdy figure in the saddle. As they came closer Oliver knew by her face that Jessamy had not seen him; and as they came abreast he stepped out quickly and shouted.
Jessamy turned red, reined in, and faced him, her lips twitching.
"Good morning, my Star of Destiny!" he said.
A flutter of bafflement showed in her black lashes, but the lips continued to twitch mischievously.
"Buenos dias, Watchman of the Dead!" she shot back at him.
Oliver's eyes widened.